Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has insisted that while his relationship with club president Joan Laporta is good, the two did have a ‘situation’ last summer. De Jong was close to leaving Barcelona last summer after he was subject to heavy interest from former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who had just become Manchester United that summer.  United were willing to meet Barcelona’s lofty asking price. However, De Jong’s deferred wages from previous years proved a major stumbling block as the Dutchman demanded he be paid them in full before he will agree to leave the club.  Read more: Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in line for a new contract  That situation resulted in a clash between De Jong and Laporta. The Barcelona chief consistently said in public that he wanted the midfielder to remain at Camp Nou. Still, behind the scenes, he was open to selling the Dutchman given Barca’s financial woes.  Speaking to Ziggo Sport Voetbal in his native Netherlands, De Jong opened up on his relationship with Laporta. “My relationship with the president is good. In reality, it has never been bad,” De Jong said. “Of course, there was this situation last summer, but my relationship with him is good.” De Jong also spoke about the potential return of Lionel Messi to Camp Nou. “Messi is a fantastic player. It would be amazing if he comes back,” De Jong said.  “But I don’t know if it’s going to happen.”

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has reportedly told his teammates he wants to return to the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen interested in his services. According to a report by Sky Germany, Xabi Alonso’s side are expressing a continued interest in the Swiss midfielder’s services. The 30-year-old’s future at the Emirates is still in the air as he is heading into the final year of his Arsenal contract. And according to the report, he is contemplating a return to the Bundesliga, despite establishing himself as a key player for Mikel Arteta. Read more: Manchester United target FOUR summer signings  Leverkusen have long held an interest in Xhaka and were close to signing him last summer before he managed to turn around his fortunes at Arsenal.  But he has now told teammates about returning to the German top flight, a league he played for four years when he was with Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, a move to the Bundesliga is likely in 2024, when he could leave for free, as Arsenal does not want to lose him this summer.